On June 27, 2025, the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) hosted a seminar in Beijing to mark the 20th anniversary of the China Energy Label system, held as part of the 35th National Energy Conservation Publicity Week. The event brought together experts from academia, industry, and other sectors to discuss the current state of energy conservation policies and advancements in energy-saving technologies. Keynote speeches reviewed the two-decade implementation of China’s energy efficiency labeling system and shared updates on domestic and international standards.
Through collaboration among government authorities, manufacturers, distributors, research institutions, laboratories, consumers, and international organizations, the energy efficiency labeling system has expanded to cover 45 product categories, involving more than 26,000 enterprises and over 4 million registered product models. Today, China’s system stands as one of the most comprehensive, widely implemented, and effective energy efficiency labeling frameworks in the world.
A detailed report presented at the seminar examined the system’s evolution across four key dimensions: continuous system improvement, effective implementation promotion, broad-based benefits realization, and innovation for future leadership. Significant progress has been made in energy efficiency, technological innovation, and carbon reduction across critical sectors, including household appliances, refrigeration and air conditioning, industrial equipment, electronic information products, and lighting equipment.
Next steps for the China Energy Label system
Moving forward, the program will focus on several strategic priorities. First, it will strengthen support for China’s energy-saving and carbon reduction policies by accelerating the development of standards—particularly for emerging sectors—and improving the energy efficiency registration, verification, and public disclosure services. The system will further implement the “forerunner” initiative to drive green transitions in consumer goods and support the shift from energy efficiency controls to carbon emission management.
Digital and intelligent technologies will play a central role in future efforts. Plans include upgrading the official energy efficiency information platform, refining green product promotion mechanisms, enhancing intelligent supervision, and boosting testing capabilities. Additionally, China aims to expand the global reach of its energy efficiency initiatives through international cooperation with organizations such as SPEC, IEA, and EE Hub. By fostering global coordination, the program seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Chinese industries while contributing China’s expertise to worldwide energy efficiency standards.
Full text of the 20-year Summary Report of China Energy Label is available (in Chinese) at: https://www.cnis.ac.cn/bydt/kydt/202507/P020250703320906036500.pdf
Other key information for foreign stakeholders
Officials and experts at the event emphasized the China Energy Label system’s critical role in achieving the country’s carbon peaking and neutrality goals. Currently, work is underway to draft the system’s objectives and measures for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. However, setting statistical targets presents challenges, as further improvements may require structural breakthroughs to address deep-seated issues in China’s energy efficiency efforts.
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